Seaming apparatus



J. w. BROWN AND w. HESS.

SEAMING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED SEPT, 26, 1919.

Patented May 10, 1921.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1- J. W. BROWN AND W. HESS.

SEAMl-NG APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26. I919. 1, 3??) 305Patented May 10, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I mvemcom; y?

I 11mm J. W. BROWN AND W. HESS.

S EAMING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26, 1919;

Patented May10,1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 fitter 1112,1

, zronN w. ROWN AND nssize-Nons, EY

wrrtinia nnss, or PHILADELPHIA, EENNSYLVANIA, DIRECT AND MESNEASSIGNMENTS, T0 BENJAMIN r. 03-.

VDYKE, INQ, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION or DELAWARE.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be 1t known that we,JoHN W. BROWN and W'ILLIAM HEss, citlzens of theUnited States,

residing at Philadelphia, in thecounty of Philadelphia. and State ofPennsylvania, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements inSeaming Apparatus; and we do hereby declare the followingtolbe a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the.

seaming machines, and more particularly to suchas are adapted forproducing lock-joint seams in sheet metal. 7 v

The object in view is the reduction in the number and complexity ofparts and 'increase in eflieiency of machines of this type.

With this and further objects inview as will in part hereinafter becomeapparent and in part be stated, the invention comprises certain novelconstructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as subsequentlyspecified and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings Figure lis a View in side elevation of anapparitus embodying the features of the present invention, parts of theframe being broken away.

Fig. 2 1s a horlzontal section therethrough taken on the plane indicatedby line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. is a vertical section taken approximately on the planes indicatedby line 3-3 of Fiig. 1, parts being seen in elevation, and the partsbeing in the position assumed at the beginning .of an operation. v Fig.l is a similar view of the same parts in the position assumed in'thecourse of the tucking. operation.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevation of the folder head andconnected parts. Fig. 61 is transverse section taken on the pianoindicated by line 66 ofFig. 5, the parts being in the initial positionas, seen in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7

This invention relates to improvements in is a similar section taken onthe SEAM-ING nr rnna'rus.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented lwity 10, 19 21; (Applicationfiled September 26,1919. Serial No. 326,511. r

' planeindicated. by line 7-7 of Fig.- 5, the

completing the cycle of operation just prior to return to the initialposition.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, end v ew with the anvilplunger actu atingelements shown in the position corresponding with that of the parts inFig. 8.

F ig. 10 is a detail, end view of the right-, hand tucker detached, oneof the lifting rods therefor beingseen in fragmentary side elevation.

' Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section taken on the plane indicated by linell1l of Fig. 10.

' Fig. 12 is an enlarged, detaihfragmentary section showing the parts inthe second step of the operation or that immediately following theintroduction of the sheets of metal which occurs while the parts are inthe position seen in Fig. 3.

Fig. 13 is a similar view of the same parts in-the position of the nextstep of the operationi 7 Fig. 14: is a similar view of the same parts inthe position of the fifth step of the operation, the fourth step notbeing shown and consisting of the withdrawal of the folder head to theposition seen in Fig. 14Ev before the advance of the tuckers.

Fig. 15 is a similar viewof the same parts in the position of theseventh or final step of the operation, the sixth step not beingillustrated'and consisting of thewitl di'awal of the tuckers before'thefinal descent of the folder head andthe final blow of the hammerplunger. I I

Referring tothe drawings by numerals, 1 indicates a bed or tablesustained bylegs or other suitable supporting means 2,2. EX- tendinglongitudinally of and through the table '1 is a slot 3 in which playsthe anvil plunger or former 4:, which consists of a flat plate arrangedto move edgewise within slot 3 and having its lower edge resting upon alongitudinally extending cam 5. The came is j'ournaled in the endportionsof the table 1 and to an'eXtension of one of the journals isfixed a rocking lever 6 engaged near one end byan operating spring 7 andnear the other by an actuating link 8. The link 8' pivotally engageslever 6 and extends on an incline upwardly therefrom and is pivotallyconnected with an elbow or bell crank lever 9, which-is pivoted'at10'toone of the'up- I standing side frames 11 of the machine. The sa d sldeframes 11 are preferably connected across the top of the machine by-alongitudinally arranged arched plate 12 for affording stability andrigidity, of the parts. Jour-- I naled in the side frames 11 is a maindrive shaft 13 toone end'portion of which is fixed an actuating cam lawhosecam surface engages a roller journaled in the upper end portion oflever 9, so that as the cam14 re 'v'olves the lever 9 will at timespermit the spring 7 to oscillate'the cam shaft 5 in one :direction'sothat the cam surface thereof acts tothrust the anvil plunger 1 upward tothe position seen in Figs. 12 and13, where Y the plungerwill rest andresist downwarc movement of itself not by virtue of the 'pressure ofspring 7 but because thethrust on the plunger is delivered towardthe-axis of' the cam which remains statlonary dur ng such thrust and 1ssustained against lateral bodily movement both by its journals in theendvportions of the table'l and by appro- 'priate intermediate supports16," 16. The

earn 5 is given a contour for effecting the requisite thrust of plungerdand permitting 1ts "retraction, and the cam 14 1s timed to a permit thethrust by the action of'spring 7 and to allow the retraction by thedownward movement of roller 15 and the resultant osclllatlon of camshaft 5 in the opposite directlon from the action of spring 7, whereby Ithe cam assumes a position permitting the its lowermost position. i a i11111116 with and above the anvil plunger 1 is arranged the hammerplunger 17 which is plunger 4: to descend by its own weight to carriedbya folder head 18resiliently sus tained and stressed upwardly by verticalsupporting rods 19, 19 extending through eyes '20, 20 projectinglaterally from head.

18, the said rods 19 extending upward from said eyes andpassing throughlateral eyes I 21, 21, outstzinchngfrom theplate 12. Nuts orIheads'22,"22 are arranged at or near the upper ends of rods 19, spaced above theeyes 21, and each rod is surrounded by a coiled formed with acorresponding head or nut 24 beneath the respectivefeye'20, so thatthefolder: head 18'is resiliently sustained on the springs 23. 1Upstandingfrom the folder head, 18 are brackets 25 in which arejournaled rollers 26, each arranged to travel on a very short folderhead a single cam 27 will be foundfadequate. The cams 27 are fixed tothe drive-shaft 13 and are of such peripheral contour as to effect therequisite downward thrusts of the folderhead 18 in timedrelation to theother parts hereinafter v stated;

The folder head 18 is formed with a longitudinally downwardly openingslot or deep groovel28 and from the lower edge of the folder head 18depends a pair of spaced folder lips 29, each consisting of a longitudinally arranged plate detachably fixed within and-extending along theslot 28. The plates 29 maybe fixed'to the head 18 in various ways, as bybeing bolted thereto by screws 30, or may be otherwise appropriatelyfixed to the head. The plates 29 are preferably beveled at their outerportions but their inner walls are straight and parallel andtheir upperedges form offsets or v shoulders within the slot 28 and the ham- 'merplunger 17 consists of a longitudinallyarranged plate snugly fitting andslidingly mounted between the faces of the plates 29,

the upper portion of the plunger being formed into a T-head 31overhanging the shoulders formed by the upper edges of plates 29 so thatthe plunger 17 is free toplay up and down within the slot 28 for so muchthereof as is represented by the distance from the upperedges of plates29' to the-upper terminus of the slot. The head 18'is formed at spacedpoints with vertical bores or apertures 32', 32 in each of which isarranged a spring 33 whose upper end portion is confined by a detachablecap 34: threaded into the upper end of the respec- 33 rests upon theT-head 31 of plunger 17 and each spring is tensioned to press the headconstantly downward. It will thus be seen that the hammer plunger 17 iscapable of being retracted when sufiieient force is exerted on its lowerend and the movement of the plunger 17 upward may continue until theT-head 31 strikes the upper terminus of slot 28, but at times, as willhereinafter appear, it is desirable to lock plunger 17 againstretraction to that extent and to hold tive bore 32. The lower end ofeach spring it against further retraction than is indi-V cated in F 1g;7. To thls end, laterally acting plungers 35, 35' are arranged to playinto andout of the path of movement of the head 31 from opposite sidesof the folder head18. To enable this action of the plungers35fthe head18 is formed with lateral apertures 36 communicating with the upperportion of the slot 28, there being preferably three apertures 36 at oneside of the apertures 36 at one side being spaced equ1- distant apartalong the head 18 and the.

apertures 36 at the other side being equally spaced between thetransverse planes of the head 18 occupied by the first-mentioned threeapertures 36." Obviously, any other number of apertures and coiiperatingparts may be utilized when preferred. A. bracket 37 outstands from andisdetachably fixed to the folder head 18 for each aperture 36 andextends across the aperture. Fixed to each plunger 35 and outstandingtherefrom is a guiding and operating rod 38 which extends through anappropriate aperture in the respective bracket 37 and is guided thereby.Beyond the bracket 37 each rod 38 is surrounded by a spring 39 confinedbetween the respective bracket 37 and a pin 40 at the outer end of therod 38, so that the respective spring 39 is tensioned to press the rod38 outward and thus tend constantly to withdraw the respective plunger35 from within the path of travel of the head 31. By preference, thehead 31 is slightly notched out'at 41, and the head 18' is correspondingly notched out at 42 for each plunger 35 so that the plunger 35in each instance may be slightly thicker than the distance representedby the space between the upper surface of the head 31 and theupper'terminus of slot 28 when the head 31 is in contact with theplunger 35. The springs 39 retain plungers 35 in their outermostposition, that is, the position indicated in Fig. 3, so that the hammerplunger 17 is not interrupted in its upward movement except when theplungers 35 are pressed inwardly by the contact of inwardly movingbrackets 43, 43 carried by tuckers 44 hereinafter described.

During the course of operation, as will hereinafter b pointed out, thehammer plunger delivers to the seam being formed a finishing pressure orblow, and to this end the plunger 17 must be pressed downwardly withirresistible force so far as the material being operated upon isconcerned. To effect this operation, the drive shaft 13 is provided witheccentrics and eccentric straps 45, 45, preferably three innumberappropriately spaced apart along the shaft. Obviously a differentnumber of eccentrics may be utilized. To each eccentric strap isconnected a pitman or plunger rod 46, which projects downward through aboreor aperture 47 in the head 18, each rod 46 being guided by the wallsof the aperture and the guide thus formed being elongated by theprovision of sleeve-like bosses 48 surrounding the respective rods 46and upstanding from the head 18. Each boss 48 is preferably form'ed'integral with the head 18, but

may be otherwise constructed when desired.

Each rod 46 is of a length and each actuating eccentriotherefor has athrow sufficient for causing 'the rod to press the hammer. plungerl't'down to the position indicated in Fig. 15, this operation being timed bythe locati'on of the eccentrics to occur'atthe appropriate moment towardthe conclusion of a cycle of operation as will be hereinafter stated.

The-tuckers 44 are arranged at the opposite. sides of the path ofmovement of anvil plunger 4, and each consists of .a'fiat plateextending along the table 1 fora distance "equal'substantially to thelength of the head 18, that edge of each plate nearer the plunger 4being beveled at 49 to provide a rounded entering edge. Upstanding fromeach of the plates comprising the respective tuckers 44 are eyes 50 towhich are pivoted links 51 extending outwardly to and pivotallyconnected with operating levers 52. Each of the links 51 is preferablyprovided with a turn-buckle intermediate its ends for facilitatingadjustment for controlling the exact distance of shifting of thetuckers'in their tucking operations. The number of links 51 andoperating levers 52 maybe varied as found desirable, but by preferencein a machine of the'size'illustrated in the accompanying drawings thereare two links and levers for each tucker 44, one pair of levers beingarranged at one sidelof the machin and the'other pair at the other side.The levers of one pair are fulcrumed ona shaft 53 and the other pairfulcrumed on a similar-shaft 54, the shafts 53 and 54 ex-v tending forthe length of the machine and i being rigidly connected to the sideframe itsrespective fulcrum shaft and engages an operating cam carriedand actuated by the drive shaft 13'. These cams by preference consist ofgrooves or cam paths55'formed in the faces of the cams 27, the campath55 in one face of one cam 27 being engaged by a lever 52 at on side ofthe machine and the cam path 55 in the opposite face ofthe same cam 27being engaged by a lever 52 at the other side of the machine. Each 1ever52, at its upper end, is provided with a lateral pin or laterallyset'roller 56 riding within and actuated by" the respective cam path 55.Thus the tuckers 44 are adapted to be reciprocated across the table '1toward and away from the path of movement of i sive sheets of metalmeans are provided for lifting one of the tuckers 44 at the conclusionof a cycle of operation so as to provide 1'35 erable form of anchorageof rods 58 is such as is illustrated in detail in Figs. 3.0 and 11,

a free path of access for the sheet of metal to be introduced. TOBfl GCtthis lifting op eration, one of the tuckersi l is engaged by liftingrods 57, 57, one at each end of thetucker. Since the sheets of metal areto be fed in from the righthand. side of the machine as seen in Figs. 3,4c and 8, the particular tucker 4:4 engaged by rods 57 may be referredto as the righthand tucker. Each rod 57 is confined a ainst ed ewisemove ment by a guide consisting'of a pair of laterally' outstanding,beads 58 fixed to and and thus elevate the righthan d tucker 44 at theconclusionoii' each cycle of operation and to allow the said tucker tobe owered to rest I upon the newly introduced sheet as the folding lipsor folder head 18 descend to the position indicated in Fig. 13.

"rIt is obvious, of. course, that while each rod 57 must be so anchoredto the tucker 44 asito cause the tucker to move up and down asdescribed', the mannerof anchorage must besuch as to allow the tucker tobe reciprocated by? levers 52. To this end, the pret- "in which rod 57isshown as provided with a foot 64 having a slot 65; through whichprojects, an. extenslon 66 from. the tucker 4d,

the foot 64- being accommodated in a notched out portionor, recess 65 inthe end of the tucker. Thus the righthand'- tucker a l mav in 5Y0 pulley68 is also provided to receive the belt bereciprocated for a distancewithin the limits allowed by the'excess length of slot 65'beyond thewidth of extension 66.

Power may be, supplied from any source,

not illustrated, as, for example, by abeltnot shown engaging the fixedpulley 67 mount- I edonithe drive shaft 13. The usual loose when themachine is temporarily thrown out of operation.

In'-operation,- the: parts'being in the position indicated in "Fig. 3, asheet of metal is introduced ac *oss the table 1 beneath therighthand-.tuckcrde, and the lefthand tucker 44 is tilted slightly byhand until the sheet "is slidjbeneath it and lies with its edge p'ortionplast introduced, across the slot 3. A second sheet is then passedbeneath the righti hand tucker ll-and placed withits first introducededge portion overlying-the edge portion of? the former sheet. Thereuponthe spring 7, released by the dropping of the roller 15 oil of thegreaterradius oi cam 14: oscillates am ant. projectsthe anvil plunger 4to I rest position fes indicated in Fig. T ms the lapped p ,tions of thesheets brought into contact with the hammer i which presses down uponthe under spring pressure and while re- Ii ning thus in engagement withthe sheets, olding lips 29 descend to the position cated in Fig 13, thedescent of the folder being accompanied by a corsespondiescent therighthand tucker l l. The assume a f at position on thetable & ons ofthe sheets i int 3 troughdike upstanding angular form in cross section.Cam 1% then depresses the roller 15 and thus oscillates cam 5 back toits initial position, and the anvil plunger 4ldrops to the positionindicated in l-ii, and at the same time the folder-head l8 ascends underthe action of springs 23, which action is limited by the contour theedge portions 01": cams Q'Zso that the folder lips 29 only ascend to theposition indicated in Fig. ll. Thus the just-formed trough-likeoverlapping portions of the sheets of metal are internally unsupported.approach each other until the tapered edges thereof engage the lowerportions 01 the t1ougl1like member and move said portions inward towarueach other, sliding the sheets of metal across thetable in. this inwardmovement. At or just before the moment of contact of the tapered edgesof tuckers at with the folded portions to betucked, the upstandingbrackets-d3 will have come in contact with the stems 38 of plungers 35,and

asthe tuclzers move inward the plungers correspondingly move inward soas to inter- .itere with and prevent any upward movement of thehammerplunger 17 beyondthat :seen in Fig. 14-, so that the overlappingportions ofthes'heets of material being tucked may not bow upward orotherwise become distorted or out of the desired shape. The tuclzerscontinue their movement inward to and past the position seen in Fig. 14Luntil the adjacent edges of the tucked portions of the sheet .are nearlyin contact, the distance apart being taken up subsequently bythocollapsing oi? the metal until the parts Contact in the finishedbead. Then the tucle 44 are retracted to the position indicated in Fig;15, it being observed that as they more outward the plunger-s 35 alsomove outward and leave the hammer plunger 17 for actuation by. the rods46. Thereupon the folder head 18 descends so that the lips 29' confinethe tucked overlapped portions of the sheets and at the same time thehammer plunger 17 descends with its hammer blow under the action of therods 46 until the parts assume the position shown in Fig. lo, whereatthe seam is complete and so per- Then the tuckers 44 fect as to be bothoil and water tight. To

avoid having the'ridge or bead produced in- C1Cl611tt0 the formation ofthe seam lie all at one face of the completed sheet, provision is madeto have a portion of the thickness of such bead appear at the under faceand the balance atthe upper face, this being accomplished by the descentof the anvll plunger 1 i; beneath the plane of the upper surface of thetable a distance equal to the distance to whichtho thickness of the beadbeneath thelinijshed sheet is to appear, while the hammer plunger 17 isproportioned to descend as much nearer to the plane of the table) 1 asis represented by the descent of the head into the slot 3. V i iThereupon the folder head 18 ascends to the position seen in Fig. 3, andthe parts are ready for another cycle of operation.

f The invention herein disclosed appertains tothe same type of machinescovered by our co-pending applications, one filed July 10,

1918 Serial No. 244,202, and the otherfiled June 27, 1919, Serial No.307,150, and this applloatlonmay be considered a continuation of thoseapplications in so far as the subject matter herein disclosedcorresponds with that disclosed in said applications.

What is claimed is:

1. In seaming apparatus, the combination of a reciprocally-mounted anvilplunger, a 7

folder having folding lips adapted to extend on opposite sides of theplunger and to fold sheets of material about the plunger to form aninverted, trough-shaped portion of the sheets, tuckers reciprocallymounted for approaching suchtrough-shaped portion laterally, ahammerplunger adapted to collapse the folds ofthe trough-shaped portionafter the tucking operation thereon, and means for actuating all of saidparts timed to cause the anvil plunger to retract after theforma- 'tionof the trough-shaped portion, the folder to retract, the tuckers toadvance and tuck parts of the troughshaped portion under other partsthereof, tuokers to retract, the

folder lipstodescend and'inclose the thus tucked trough-shaped portionand the hammer plunger to deliver a collapsing blow on suchtrough-shaped portion while thus confined.

2. In seaming apparatus, thecombination of means for forming a troughshaped portion of overlapping parts of sheets of material, means fortucking parts of the troughshaped portion under dther parts thereof,

meansfor collapsing the parts of the troughshaped portion to a tightlyfolded condition forming a bead, means for supporting the sheets duringsuch collapsing operation spaced between the levels of the collapsingmeans and that part of the trough-forming means against which the partsof the trough- V shaped portion are collapsed, the parts hemg soproportioned with respect to each partly at one face of the sheetsoperated p d partly at the other. Y p

3. In seaming apparatus, the COInlOlIlZLtlOIi other as to cause the beadthus formed to have its thickness divided and exposed with a slottedtable adapted to support sheets'of material to be operated upon withoverlapping portions of g the sheets lying across the slot, ananvilplunger reciprocally mounted inthe slot, means for moving theplunger from a position below the plane of the surface of the table to aposit onwlth its upper portion above said plane, means for formingsheets over the portion of the anvil plunger above the table, means fortucking the thus formed portions of the sheets, and

,means for collapsin'gthe foldedand tucked POltlOllS of the sheetsandfor forclng the same into the slot into contact with the retractedanvilplunger.

4. In seaming apparatus, the combination wlth a table havlng a slot, ofan anvll alun er reciorocall mounted in the slot means for moving theplunger to a position with a portion of the plunger extending above thetable, a reciprocally mounted folder head, said-folder head being formedwith a slot in line with the slot of the table,

plates detachably connected to the folder headand forming folder lipsspaced apart plun 'er reciprocally mounted in the slot,

means for moving the plunger to a position with a portion of the plungerextending above the table, a reciprocally mounted folder head, saidfolder head being formed with a slot in line with the slot of the table,plates detachably connected to thefolder head and forming folder lipsspaced ap rt in. position for folding sheets over the anvil plunger whenthe lips are moved past the are ectln portion of the plun er mezms fork; m I h 7 tucking a part of the folded portions of'the sheets to anunderhanging position, and means movable within the slot of the folderhead for collapsing tucked portions of sheets,

the detachable plates extending into the slot of the folderhead inposition for limiting the'movement OfSllCl collapsing means.

6. In seaming apparatus, the combination with a table having a slot, ofa reciprocally mounted anvil plunger therein adapted to be .moved to aposition with a portionof the plunger extending above the plane of thesurface of the table, a folder head movable toward and away. from theanvil plunger i V series of springs mounted in the folder head engagingthe hammer plunger andstressing and having lips adapted to shape sheetsover the anvil plunger, a hammer plunger reciprocally mounted betweenthe lips and a spring-pressing the hammer the anvil plunger.

7. In seaming apparatus, the combination With a table having aslot', ofareciprocally mounted anvil plunger therein adapted to be I ,c j:DIOVQCltO a position with a portion of the plunger extending above theplane of the surface "ofthe table, a folder head movable toward and awayfrom the; anvil plunger and having lips adapted to shape sheets over theanvil plunger, a hammer plunger reciprocally mounted between the lips,and a the same toward the anvil plunger.

8 In seaming apparatus, the combination {with a table having a slot, ofa reciprocally I mounted anvilplunger therein adapted to be moved to aposition with a portion of the plunger extending above the plane of stheisurface of the table, a folder head mov-- cable 'f toward and awayfrom the anvil I plunger aiidliaving' lips adapted tosliape sheets overthe ,anvil' plunger, a hammer, 1 plunger reciprocally mounted betweenthe lips, a series of springs mounted in the i folder head engaging thehammer plunger and stressing the same toward the anvil plunger, andscrew caps having threaded en gagement with the folder head, forretaining said springs in position.

9. In seaming apparatus, the combination with a reciprocally mountedanvil plunger,

' a folder head having foldinglips adapted to fold sheets ofmaterialabout the plunger,

means for operating the plunger and effecting withdrawal thereof afterthe formation of tlie sheets thereover, tucking means for pressing underportions of the formed sheets toward eachother, a hammer plungerreciprocally mounted between the lips of the folder head, and meanscontrolled by the ytuckers for positively limiting the inove- IIIQDt Ofthe hammerplungerin a direction away'from, the folded sheets during thei tucking operation.

fjtion with a reciprocally mounted anvil 10. In seaming apparatus, thecombinapluiiger, a folder head having folding lips adapted to foldsheets'of materialabout the eplungeryineans for operating the" plunger[55 c formation of the sheets thereover, tucking and effectingwithdrawal thereof-after the means for pressing under portions of theplunger toward ing means for pressing the locking plunger against thetension of the spring into, the

path oftlie hammer plunger;

11. In seaming apparatus, the combination' with a reciarocall mountedanvil plunger,.a folder head having iolding lips adapted to fold sheetsof material about the plunger, means for operating the plunger andeffecting withdrawal thereof after the formation of the sheetsthereover, laterally movable tuckers arranged at the opposite sides ofthe path, of movement of the folder head, levers for reciprocating thetuckers, links pivoted to the tuckers and pivoted to the levers fortransmitting movement from the former to the latter, and means forcollapsing formed and tucked portions of sheets.

12. In seaming apparatus, the combination with a reciprocally mountedanvil plunger, folder head havingfolding lips adapted tovfold sheets ofmaterial about the plunger, means for operatingthe plunger and effectingwithdrawal thereof after the formation of the sheets thereover,laterally movable tuckei's arranged at the opposite sides of tlie pathof movement of the folder head, levers for reciprocating the tuckers,

links pivoted to the t uclrers and pivoted to the levers fortransmitting movement from the former to the latter, and means forcollapsing formed and tucked portions of sheets, each of the links beingadjustable in length.

1&111 seaming apparatus, the combina tion with folding and collapsingmeans for sheets of material, of a tucker reciprocally mounted icrtucking a portion of a formed heet priorto collapsing thereof, means foreciprocating said tucker toward and away from the point of tucking, rodsanchored to .sa d tucker in position for leaving the same freefor suchreciprocating movement while engaging the tucker to cause it tomove'w'ith the rods laterally of the path of reciprocation of thetucker, means for thus moving the rods, and guides for therods.

14. In seaming apparatus, the combinatioirwith a table, of reciprocallymounted "plungers arranged one at one side and the other at'the otherside of the face of the table, means for folding a'sheet of mate- 7-rial about one of the plungers when projectlng beyond the face of thetable toward the other plunger, reciprocating tuckers fortuckiiigportions of tliefolde d parts of the sheet to underlyingpOSltlOllS, and means for moving the plungers in timed relation forcausing retraction of the first plunger and thevother plungerto crushthe folded andtucked sheet upon retraction of the first plunger andtuckers,

pausing 15. In seaming apparatus, the combinaj tion with a table. ofreciprocally mounted plungersarranged one at one side and the gers intimed relationfor causing jother'at the other side of the face of the"table, means for folding a sheet of material tion to the operation ofthe plungerss'uch to effect saidm'oving of the sides or" the foldedportion of the sheet between the retraction of the first plunger and thecrushing-operation of the second. 1 1 16. In seaming apparatuathecombination" with a table, of reciprocally mounted plungei's alined andarranged one above and onebelow the horizontal plane of the uppersurface of the table, means for "folding a sheet of material about theupper portion ofthe lower plunger when projected above one below thehorizontalplane of the upper surface of the jt'ahle, means for folding asheet of material about the upper portion H 605 thelowenplunger when atthe extreme the table, reciprocating tuckers for tucking portions of thefolded parts of the sheet to unilerlyingpositions, and means for movingthe plungers and tuckers in timed relation for causing an upwardprojection of the lower plunger and a retraction thereof and for singthe upper nlu'nger to crush the folded and tucked sheet upon retractionof j the lower plunger and the tuckers.

17. In seaming apparatus, the combination with atahle', of rec procallymounted plungers ahned and arranged one above and of reciprocation inone direction reciprorat- 7 ing tuckers "for tucking portions of thefolded parts of the sheet to underlying positions, I and means formoving the plungers and tu clrers in timed relation for causing theupper plunger to crush the folded sheet upon retraction of the lowerplunger and he tuckers. .7

185111 seaming apparatus, the combina tion of reciprocally mount-edtuckers movable toward andfaway from: each means for formingatrough-like told in a sheet of materialnith the. fold i upward betweenthe tucker's, the fltuchers heing located with respect tothefold'formingmeans as to cause the tu ng edges '05 the ttuclrers when reciprocatedtwengage the fold along the lower edges or lines or junctnre thereofwith'the main portions of the 1 sheet for moving such edges toward eachother and causing portions of the "fold to underhang other portionsthereof, and means for collapsing the fold subsequent to the action ofthe tuchers.

" v19, lnfseaming apparatus, the combination with a supgorting talole,of, an anvil i other,

plunger movable past the horizontal plane of the table, a hammer'plungerin line with the; anvil plunger and movable toward the same, a pair offolders arranged one at each ,side or the hammer plung r a pair oftuclrers arranged laterally outside of the vertical'planes 01" thefolders,"and means for actuating the-anvil plunger,-hammer plunfoldersand tuckersfor causing the anvil plunger tomove upward'a sheetofmaterial lying on'the table; followed by a downward movement ofportions of the sheet under action of the folders'converse to themovement or the anvil plunger forproducing an inverted 'trough shape erthe sheet and a withqdrawalof'the' anvil plunger and folders followed byan'advan'ce of the tuckers for causing the side walls of the trough ofthe sheet to be inclinedg p'roducing an undercut or overhang to thetrough,-and the Wlthdrawal of the tuclrers followed by' a movement ofthe hammer plunger toward the trough shape of the sheet foroollapsingthe m *5 20. IH SB HI11I1g" apparatus, the comb nation with asupporting table formed with a v longitudinal slot, of an anvil'plunger'movable in the slot and means for reciprocating he same thereinto and from a point above the level otthe table and forsus'taining theanvil plunger elevated in "timed relation to the movement of otherparts, a reciprocating 'haimnerplunger arranged above and 1n line "withthe anvil plunger, a reciprocally mounted folder at each side" 'oi''the' hammer plunger, means for reciprocating the folders 'itoi movingthe same downward pastthe plane of theupper end of theanvil plungerwhile the anvil plunger s sustained inits elevated position, whereby asheet of material placed on the table across the anvil plunger will hefirst elevated by the anvil '1 lunger and then have portions depressedthe folders for forming an inverted ugh, tuckers disposed at oppositesides of theresulting trough and eachihaving an inolined surfacepresented towardthe trough,

and means for reciprocating the tuokers upon the withdrawal of thefolders for press ng the lower edge" portions of the V trough towardeach other, and means for o o ectnig a uating the hammer plunger intimed-rele crushin down the trough upon the withdrawalof the tu'ckers. c

211111 seaming apparatus, the combinai n to the movement argue tuolrers'for tion with a tabl'ej irovided with a longitudi nal slot, of a plungerreciprocating in the 7 slot, means'for reciprocating the plunger forsustaining the plunger in -an elevatee position with its upper end abovethe plane hf the table for elevating a sheetof material lyin on thetable, folders reciprocallv mounted to move at opposite sides of theplunger; means-- for reciproc ating' the sustained by, the plungerdownward to form an inverted trough, and laterallyacting I withdrawalofthe plunger.-

means for pressing the vertical walls of the inverted trough toinclinedposition upon I of'a table adapted to support sheets of ma-,;22'. In seaming apparatus, the combination with a tableprovided withalongitudinal-slot, of a plunger reciprocating in the slot means forreciprocating the plunger and for sustaining the plunger in an elevatedposition with its upper end abovethe plane pfthe table for elevatingasheet of material lying on the table, foldersfireciprocally vmountedwtomove at oppositesides of the plunger,means forreciprocating thefolders I for pressing portions of the sheets sustained foldersreciprocally mounted to move at I le s terial tojbe joined, an anvilplunger movable relative-to the table, folders movable in by the plungerdownward to form an inverted trough, laterally-acting means for pressingthe vertical walls of the inverted trough'to inclined position uponwithdrawal I t of the plunger, and means for collapsing and flatteningthe walls of theresul'ting trough. 23; In seaming apparatus, thecom-bina-. 'tion' with a tableprovided with a longitudinalslot, of ananvil plunger reciprocating in the slot, means for reciprocating theanvil plunger and for sustaining the same in an elevated position withits upper end above the plane of-the table for elevating portions of asheet of material lying on the table,

opposite sides of the plunger,.means.for reciprocating thefoldersfor'pressing portions of the sheet "sustained by the plungerdownward to form an inverted trough, laterally- -acting meansforpressing the verticalwalls ofthe inverted trough to inclinedpositionupon withdrawal ofsthe anvil, plunger, a

hammer plunger" disposed between the folders, and means forreciprocating the hammer plun'ger'intimed relation to the "movement ofthe anvil plunger for crushing the trough upon the withdrawal of theyplunger.

24:. In seaming apparatus,rthe combination of atable for supportingsheets of ma timed relation to the anvil plunger for folding sheetsabout the plunger, tuckers movable laterally with respectto the foldedportions of sheets and in timed relation to the folder andanvil plunger,a hammer plunger movable in timed relation tothe tuckers and anvilplunger, a single power shaft, operating means between the shaft and,the anvil plunger, hammer plunger,

folders and tuckers for operating the same in sequence to form a seam.

25. In seaming apparatus, the combination of a-table forsupporting-sheets of material, a formerarranged' above the table,

tuckers disposed at opposite sides of the former, a hammer-plungersupported in the former and movable relative thereto, and means foractuating said former, tuckers and hammer plunger in the sequence of theorder named to form a seam.

' 26. In seaming apparatus, the combination terial with overlapping edgeportions, an

anvil plunger reciprocally mounted and ar'- ranged to rise through thetable beneath the overlapping portions of the sheets, a

former above the table in alinement with the plunger, tuckers arrangedlaterally of the "former, and a s ngleoperatlng means for actuating allof said partsto operate the same 1n sequence for forming a seam.

'27. In seamingapparatus, the combination of means for forming atrough-like portion liver, its crushing stroke.

28 In seaming apparatus, the combination with a table,:0f reciprocallymounted former I plates movable relative to the table, means cooperatingtherewith for forming a troughlike portion i i-material to be seamed, an

operatingshaft, and means actuated thereby for operating said formerplates and said cooperating means, a hammer plunger reciprocally'mountedbetween said former plates and a reciprocally mounted rod actuated bysaid shaft and disposed for intermittently engaging and actuating saidhammer plunger for moving the same to a position for crushing thetrough-like portion.

' j, 29. In seaming apparatus, the combination with :a table adapted tosupport sheets of material, means for forming a hollow trough-like foldin material on the table, tuckers'movable laterally toward and away fromthe trough-like fold for shaping portions thereof to underhang otherportions, oneof; said tuckers being movable toward and away'from thetable in addition to its movement toward and away from the fold, andmeans for actuating the tuckers.

' 30. In seaming apparatus, thecombination of, a table adapted tosupport sheets of material, acam arranged beneath the table, an

anvil plunger restingon the cam and adapt-i ed to be shifted thereby toa position with a portion of the plunger extending above the table, afolder above the table movable relative to the anvil plunger for formingsheets ofmaterial over the projecting portion of the anvil plunger, ahammer plunger adapted to crush the thus-folded material when the anvilplunger is withdrawn,

tuckers arranged to engage the thus-folded material for causing portionsthereof to underhang ether portions prior to the crush- In testimonywhereof we afiix our signaing operation, a power shaft, a plurality oftures in presence of two Witnesses. V cams actuated thereby, andmeansaetuated J OHN W. BROWN.

by the cams for operating the anvil plunger WILLIAM HESS. actuating cam,the folders, the tuckers and Witnesses: V the hammer plunger intimedrelation for HARRY C. BLASE,

- cenipleting a seam. 1 p HORACE C. OBDYKE.

